Attendorn: Cave, Biggesee and town history

Attendorn is located in the Biggesee-Listersee Nature and Adventure Area, one of the most attractive leisure and recreation regions in South Westphalia. The town offers different perspectives on a holiday: a guided tour leads underground in the Atta Cave, the Biggesee offers viewpoints and hiking trails, and historic sites tell the story of Attendorn’s past. Which of these experiences interests you most can help you decide whether Attendorn is the right holiday destination for you.

Underground in the Atta Cave

A guided tour of the Atta Cave takes groups through an 80-metre-long tunnel into the realm of Princess Atta. This makes visiting the cave a unique experience alongside the trails and viewpoints in the surrounding area. The temperature also differs considerably from the changing conditions outside: in the cave, it remains constant at 9°C in both summer and winter. If you would like to include the cave in your holiday plans, this gives you a specific point of reference for your time underground.

Views over the Biggesee

The BiggeBlick viewing platform is 90 metres above the Biggesee. From there, you can see across the lake, towards Gilberg Island and the ruins of Waldenburg Castle. For those who enjoy taking in the landscape from a viewpoint, this offers a different kind of nature experience from a longer hike. The route from the large car park to BiggeBlick is about 800 metres long and runs through the forest. It includes uphill sections that may be difficult to navigate for people with mobility impairments. Bear this terrain in mind if the viewpoint is part of your plans.

Hiking the Bigge-Lister Trail

For a longer hike, consider the Bigge-Lister Trail. It is 46 kilometres long and can be completed in two days. A popular starting point is at Waldenburger Bucht in Attendorn. From there, the trail passes the historic Waldenburg Chapel and continues to the ruins of Waldenburg Castle, where you can enjoy your first lovely view of the Biggesee. The length and time frame give this hike a different character from a visit to a single viewpoint. When planning your holiday, you can decide whether you would prefer to include a longer hike or focus on individual experiences such as the cave and the viewpoint.

Discover the town’s history

The historic town trail takes you to important sites that bear witness to Attendorn’s more than 800-year history. At each stop, QR codes provide additional information, historic images and background details. You can plan your route freely or follow the suggested route on Komoot. This lets you tailor the walk to your own interests rather than follow a fixed sequence. One historic landmark is the Cologne Gate, once one of the four entrances to the medieval Hanseatic town of Attendorn.

Schnellenberg Castle also tells the story of the town’s long history. This distinctive historic hilltop castle stands above Attendorn and has a history stretching back more than 800 years. The South Sauerland Museum, formerly the District Local History Museum, is located on the market square in Attendorn’s pedestrian zone, opposite the parish church. These offer different ways to explore the town’s history: a walk along a freely chosen route, a museum on the market square and a historic hilltop castle above the town. Visitors choosing Attendorn as a holiday destination can give nature experiences and history different weight according to their personal interests.

More local guides: Silbecke, Bürberg, Finnentrop, Olpe, Lennestadt, Kirchhundem, Wenden and Drolshagen.

Back to the main travel guide: Olpe.